Deputy Speaker supports idea of new Parliament building

06 Mar 2014 10:30am

WINDHOEK, 06 MAR (NAMPA)  The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Loide Kasingo says she fully supports the idea of a new Parliament building, and does not understand the reasoning of those opposing the idea.
Kasingo made these remarks in the NA on Wednesday, saying it is sad to note that some of the criticism against the proposed new building is indeed coming from some Members of Parliament (MP).
MPs should defend and support the idea, she felt, adding that a new building is needed to meet the needs of MPs, staff and the public at large.
The new Parliament building will not only have offices, but there will be committee rooms, a conference hall, a health and wellness centre as well as video conferencing facilities, she stated.
Kasingo pointed out that she also recalls criticism against the building of a new State House, but now everybody is proud of the national asset.
Perhaps some of these people who criticise infrastructure of this nature are those whose exposure in terms of what other countries have is limited, she charged.
Reports ran in local media in January had it that civil society raised alarm over whether the new Parliament building at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars is a priority in a country battling service delivery challenges, poverty and inequality.
This was in reaction to reports that a feasibility study had been completed into the construction of a new Parliament building, which would allegedly cost N.dollars 700 million.
Construction is expected to start in 2016.
The current Parliament building was constructed in 1902.
(NAMPA)
SL/AS/TK